The great holiday exodus

The traffic jams built up all day Friday as all of Bangkok seemed to want to get out of the city for the New Year. There were 33 road deaths on the "first Dangerous Day" - while up-country, those cars are not allowed into the two largest national parks this weekend.

33 die on first 'Dangerous Day'

A total of 33 people were killed and 322 injured in road accidents nationwide on Thursday, the first day of the so-called "seven dangerous days" campaign, Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt said Friday.
The Seven Dangerous Days road safety campaign over the New Year holiday runs from Dec 27 to next Wednesday.
Drink-driving was the main cause of accidents on the first day of the campaign. About 33 per cent of Thursday's 314 road accidents were caused by drink-driving, followed by speeding at 21.6 per cent Mr Chadchat said. The province with the most fatalities was Chiang Mai with four deaths, followed by Bangkok with three.

No cars in parks

Private cars will not be allowed to enter the country's two top national parks to prevent traffic jams during the New Year holidays.
The holidays officially start Saturday and last until Tuesday.
National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Manophat Huamuangkaew said the ban would be enforced at Doi Inthanon national park in Chiang Mai and Khao Yai national park in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Mr Manophat said the ban aimed to prevent traffic congestion in the parks and to protect wild animals from eing hit by tourists' vehicles. Park officials will provide a shuttle bus service inside the park areas, he said.

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